Backhoe finishing attachment

ABSTRACT

A device and method for straightening earthen walls which allows installation of shoring and forms with minimal manual labor and risk to life. The device comprises a blade joined with two beams in a substantially U-shape all of which is attached to and works in conjunction with a backhoe bucket. The beams attach onto a backhoe bucket and allows the blade to cut earthen walls. An alternative embodiment directly attaches the substantially U-shape to the boom of a backhoe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates in general to attachments forbackhoes and other excavating equipment and more particularly, to adevice and a method for straightening earthen walls. The device andmethod allows for the creation of plumb earthen walls.

[0002] Traditionally, excavations have had earthen walls that curveinwards with the greatest curvature at the bottom of the excavation. Theearthen walls attain a curve because the boom of a backhoe movesgenerally in an arc and most backhoes have a limited travel or openingof the backhoe bucket on said boom. The aforesaid combination therebyprovides a limited reach or contact for the earth engaging side of thebucket that precludes digging a vertical wall. By way of definition,horizontal means parallel to the surface plane of the earth prior toexcavation and vertical means perpendicular to the surface plane of theearth prior to excavation. In confined areas and in trenches, straightwalls fit shoring properly and minimize disturbing the surroundings ofan excavation. Providing for vertical walls with a minimum of resourceshas proven difficult. Heretofore, construction of vertical earthen wallsrequired much time and effort by an excavation crew. The art of thepresent invention reduces this time and effort by providing a device anda method which finishes a vertical wall straight.

[0003] Typically, a backhoe removes earth bucket by bucket to form anexcavation. Often, excavations require shoring to prevent collapse andcave in of the excavation's walls. Excavations also serve as earthformsfor concrete placements. Upon reaching the desired depth of anexcavation, a crew typically ceases machine excavation, rigs a temporaryshoring, and then proceeds manually to cut straight vertical walls inthe excavation. The crew then uses shovels and picks to straighten thewall for the final positioning of the shoring. At this task, the crewrisks their lives and expends resources. The present invention in itspreferred embodiment utilizes a blade mounted with two beams that attachto a conventional backhoe bucket. The unique blade cuts earth therebyallowing the creation of a straight vertical earthen wall. The uniqueblade also readily installs with a minimum of labor and resources.

[0004] Prior to the art of the present invention, a crew removing earthfor an excavation often dug wider and deeper to obtain a verticallystraight wall and further risked the crew's lives during manual digging.This prior art method encouraged larger excavations with unnecessarydisruptions around the excavation. It also limited the proximity ofexcavations to structures and to utilities. Furthermore, it slowedinstallation of shoring and as aforesaid, put the crew at risk. The artof the present invention provides a uniquely assembled blade andattached beams that allow a crew to cut vertically straight walls bymachine with greater accuracy, increased speed, and less risk to life.

[0005] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providea backhoe finishing attachment which allows a crew to cut earth from thewall of an excavation or other earthen wall thereby creating avertically straight wall suitable for shoring and earthforms.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a backhoefinishing attachment which is capable of installation with a minimum oftools and labor.

[0007] A further object of the present invention is to provide a backhoefinishing attachment which unskilled labor may install.

[0008] A still further object of the present invention is to provide abackhoe finishing attachment which is safer than conventional excavatingdevices and methods.

[0009] A still further object of the present invention is to provide abackhoe finishing attachment which is capable of manufacture from steel,aluminum, plastic, fiberglass, or other high strength structuralmaterials.

[0010] Lastly, it is an object of the present invention, in a preferredembodiment, to provide a new and improved method for cutting verticallystraight walls of an excavation by resting a backhoe's bucket on asurface, sliding the beams along and outside the backhoe bucket,locating holes in the beams over holes in the backhoe bucket, boltingthe beams to the backhoe bucket, moving the boom and the backhoe bucketwith the blade attached so that the blade contacts the earth at thedesired wall location, and repeatedly lowering or raising the blade in avertical line to remove earth at the desired wall location.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] To accomplish the foregoing and other objects of this inventionthere is provided a backhoe finishing attachment. The device and methodprovide for straight vertical earthen wall cutting by a blade with beamsuniquely connected to a backhoe bucket. The backhoe bucket typically hasprongs or teeth near an earth engaging side, an aperture opening to aninterior to accept earth common in the construction industry, a boomattachment side, and right and left sides. Regarding the backhoe bucketand by way of definition, horizontal includes parallel to the apertureplane of the backhoe bucket with the backhoe bucket rotated into thebackhoe and vertical includes parallel to the left and right side planesand perpendicular to the aperture plane of the backhoe bucket. In thepreferred embodiment, the device comprises a blade with a cutting edgeand two beams attached near the ends of the blade forming the deviceinto a substantially U-shape. The cutting edge contacts the earth of awall first during operation of the present art device. In a preferredembodiment, each beam has at least two holes with bolts mounted withinthe holes as the means to secure the beams to a backhoe bucket. Thebackhoe bucket attaches to the boom of a backhoe in the customarymanner.

[0012] It is important to note that the preferred embodiment fixes theblade away from the backhoe bucket at the front ends of the beams. Thelong edge of the blade is parallel with the surface of the excavation.That is, upon moving the boom and backhoe bucket jointly downwards, theblade cuts the earthen excavation wall. Alternative embodiments mayplace the blade at a plurality of positions away from the backhoebucket.

[0013] An alternative embodiment exchanges plates for the beams. Thisalternative embodiment provides a plate that has a generallysemi-circular shape with a top end that runs substantially parallel tothe backhoe bucket aperture. Said plates typically have a curved endopposite the top end that begins near the blade and ends at the rear endof the plate. For stability of the backhoe finishing attachment and astrong connection to a backhoe bucket, the plates typically have atleast three holes in a preferred embodiment.

[0014] A further alternative embodiment has clips on the top edge of thebeams near the beam rear end. The clips typically face inward of thebeams and have an overhanging lip. During installation of the backhoefinishing attachment, the crew rests the clips upon the backhoe bucketnear the intersection of the sides and the aperture and then slides thebeams into position over holes in the backhoe bucket. The clips simplifyinstallation and alignment of the backhoe finishing attachment upon abackhoe bucket.

[0015] A still further alternative embodiment connects the backhoefinishing attachment directly to the backhoe boom and linkage. Thisembodiment does not use a backhoe bucket. The beams are separated fromeach other less than previous embodiments but at least the width of theboom. The blade attaches to the front ends of the beams and generallyhas a greater width than the separation of the beams. The beams have oneor more holes spaced to connect with the boom and linkage usingcustomary connecting pins. The linkage permits the attachment to pivotand connect with the backhoe hydraulic cylinder.

[0016] In order to secure the beams to the backhoe bucket, the preferredembodiment bolts the beams to the backhoe bucket. The beams connect tothe backhoe bucket via one or more holes in the beams and the backhoebucket. Since the preferred embodiment could damage the boom if thebackhoe bucket is opened to far, a still further alternative embodimenthas additional holes in the backhoe bucket. In this embodiment, thesides of the backhoe bucket have a pivot hole toward the earth engagingside of the backhoe bucket and at least two holes along a vertical arcnear the boom attachment side of the backhoe bucket. Using a hole nearthe boom attachment side of the backhoe and more opposite the bucketaperture, lowers the blade thereby allowing a partial opening of thebackhoe bucket with minimal risk of damage to the boom.

[0017] In preferred and alternative embodiments, the backhoe finishingattachment attaches to a backhoe bucket with bolts. The connection ofthe beams to the backhoe bucket may also have quick release attributesto aid in installation and removal of the backhoe finishing attachment.Quick release connections may take the form of bolts secured by wingnuts or pins secured with cotter pins. The quick release connections mayfurther take the form of uniquely hooking linkages which do not requirepins or bolts. The backhoe finishing attachment may also attach to abackhoe bucket by one or more welds between each beam and the backhoebucket. Welding the backhoe finishing attachment to a backhoe bucket maylimit the backhoe bucket's use to excavate earth by restricting theangle of opening for the backhoe bucket. The cutting edge of the blademay also have earth engaging teeth.

[0018] A unique inventive concept of the present invention lies in theposition of the blade. Located ahead of the backhoe bucket near thebackhoe bucket's connection to the boom, the blade's shape, structure,and function cut earth to make excavation walls vertically straight. Inthis usage, vertically means perpendicular to the surface plane of theearth. The essential elements of the present art which provide for itsunique function can be summarized as a blade oriented substantiallyvertically and welded on the short edges to two beams, and bolts orother means of attachment connecting the beams to the sides of a backhoebucket.

[0019] In use, an excavation crew moves or removes earth to the desireddepth, footprint, and position. The crew then closes the backhoe bucketof the backhoe and rests the backhoe bucket on a surface. A closedbucket has its earth engaging side or prongs positioned closest to theboom. The crewmen then lift the backhoe finishing attachment onto thebucket, slide the beams along the sides and outside the backhoe bucket,and position the holes in the beams over the holes in the backhoebucket. The crewmen then bolt the beams to the backhoe bucket. Once thebackhoe finishing attachment is connected, the crew moves the boom andthe backhoe bucket so that the blade contacts the earth at the desiredwall location. When the backhoe boom and bucket is jointly lowered orraised by an experienced operator, the blade proceeds in a verticalline, removing earth at the desired wall location. After the crew cutsthe wall vertically straight with the blade, the crew rests the backhoebucket on a surface. The crewmen remove the backhoe finishing attachmentby reversing the installation steps aforementioned. The crew thenreturns the backhoe bucket into the excavation to remove the cuttings atthe base of the straight vertical wall. The crew then installs shoringor formwork per construction plans and specifications. The crew must usecaution in opening the backhoe bucket with the backhoe finishingattachment in place lest the backhoe finishing attachment damage theboom, its linkage, or hydraulic cylinder.

[0020] It is important to note that the backhoe finishing attachment maytake many forms. That is, the beams may have a variety of shapes and oneor more holes. The beams may further attach to the backhoe bucket orlinkage by bolts or the backhoe bucket by welding. The cutting edge ofthe blade may be straight or have a plurality of teeth. The blade mayhave a rectangular or a rounded cross section. The blades and beams mayfurther be manufactured from a plurality of materials that provide thestructural strength necessary for the application. These include but arenot limited to, steel, cast iron, aluminum, heavy-duty plastics, metalalloys, composites, fiberglass, and ceramics.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Numerous other objects, features and advantages of the inventionshould now become apparent upon a reading of the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

[0022]FIG. 1 is a right side view of equipment excavating earth with atraditional bucket which is substantially symmetric with a left sideview.

[0023]FIG. 2 is a right side view of the present invention installed ona backhoe bucket in preparation to cut the walls of an excavation whichis substantially symmetric with a left side view.

[0024]FIG. 3 is an oblique perspective view of the present inventionapart from a backhoe bucket.

[0025]FIG. 4 is a right side view of the present invention mounted to abackhoe bucket which is substantially symmetric with a left side view.

[0026]FIG. 5 is an oblique perspective view of an alternate embodimentof the present invention with right and left beam members in the form ofplates

[0027]FIG. 6 is an oblique perspective view of a further alternateembodiment of the present invention having a serrated blade and aligningclips.

[0028]FIG. 7 is a right side view of a still further embodiment of thepresent invention which utilizes two or more mounting holes in a backhoebucket which is substantially symmetric with a left side view.

[0029]FIG. 8 is a right side view of a still further embodiment of thepresent invention installed directly to the backhoe boom and linkagewhich is substantially symmetric with a left side view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-8 show a backhoe finishingattachment 10 and associated apparatus. Turning to FIG. 1, conventionalexcavating equipment like a backhoe 14 removes earth to form anexcavation. By way of definition, horizontal means parallel to thesurface plane S of the earth prior to excavation and vertical meansperpendicular to the surface plane S of the earth prior to excavation.In addition, relating to the backhoe bucket BB, horizontal includesparallel to the aperture plane E of the backhoe bucket BB with thebackhoe bucket BB rotated towards the backhoe boom B and parallel to thesurface S of the earth prior to excavation. Further, relating to thebackhoe bucket BB, vertical includes parallel to the sides LS, RS of thebackhoe bucket.

[0031] Typically, a backhoe 14 has an appended boom B with a detachablebucket BB at the end of the boom B. Via the cutting and holding abilityof the backhoe bucket BB, a backhoe 14 removes earth and forms walls 12.Typically, the resulting walls 12 of the excavation have an inward curvetowards the bottom. The curved walls 12 arise from the lowering androtating of the boom B during digging and the fact that the earthengaging side EE of the bucket has a pivoting limit when fully opened.Since shoring and earthforms typically require straight walls 12 toattain maximum load bearing capacity, conventionally crews must manuallyremove the remaining wall earth to straighten the vertical excavationwalls 12.

[0032] The present invention as shown in FIG. 2, remedies the curvedwalls 12 with the backhoe finishing attachment10 shown attached to abackhoe bucket BB. The backhoe bucket BB typically has prongs T near itsearth engaging side EE and linkage L at its boom attachment side BA. Anaperture E to accept earth and provide an opening to the bucket interiorI extends between the prongs T and the linkage L. Typically when not inuse, the backhoe bucket BB rests upon the surface S near the excavation.FIG. 2 shows the preferred embodiment of the present invention bolted tothe right side RS and left side LS of the backhoe bucket BB. The boom Band bucket BB are positioned to straighten the vertical wall 12 with theblade 16 of the present invention.

[0033] The backhoe finishing attachment 10 appears in FIG. 3 apart fromthe backhoe bucket BB and has a blade 16, a right beam 26, and a leftbeam 38 with the blade 16 attached to the two beams forming asubstantially U-shape. In a preferred embodiment, the blade 16 of steelhas a generally symmetric rectangular shape generally orientedvertically, a cutting edge 18, a top end 20, a left end 22, and a rightend 24. The cutting edge 18 is typically the sharpened lower long edgeof the blade 16. The blade 16 and the cutting edge 18 extend beneath theleft and right beams 26, 38. In an alternate embodiment, the cuttingedge 18 has one or more teeth 52 as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 6.The top end 20 is the upper long end of the blade 16 opposite thecutting edge 18. Looking between the beams 26, 38 towards the blade 16,the short end of the blade 16 towards the left is the left end 22 andopposite the left end 22 is the right end 24 of the blade 16. In apreferred embodiment, the left end 22 of the blade 16 is joined to theleft beam 38 and the right end 24 of the blade 16 is joined to the rightbeam 26.

[0034] Again looking towards the blade 16, the beam towards the left isthe left beam 38 and opposite the left beam 38 is the right beam 26. Ina preferred embodiment, the left beam 38 and the right beam 26 have agenerally symmetric rectangular shape of substantially greater lengththan width, a top end 40, 28 and a bottom end 42, 30 opposite said topend 40, 28, respectively. Alternative embodiments may incorporate anystructurally sound cross section. The left beam 38 has a front end 44 atthe blade 16 and a rear end 46 away from the blade 16. The right beam 26has a front end 32 at the blade 16 and a rear end 34 away from the blade16. In the preferred embodiment, the blade 16 is welded to the beams 26,38 but may be connected with any conventional method of metal joining inalternative embodiments, including but not limited to bolts and pins. Ina preferred embodiment, the front end 44 of each the left beam 38 andright beam 26 is welded to the blade 16.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, each the left beam 38 and the rightbeam 26 have one or more regularly spaced holes 54 to attach each beam38, 26 to the left side LS and right side RS of the backhoe bucket BBrespectively. In the preferred embodiment, the spacing of the holes 54allows use of hand tools to tighten mechanical fasteners such as boltsor pins and further deters bending of the beam 38. Alternateembodiments, press the backhoe finishing attachment 10 into shape from asingle piece of steel or other structurally sound material.

[0036] In an alternative embodiment, the blade 16 has a substantiallysemi-circular shape akin to a hand shovel oriented vertically, a cuttingedge 18, a top end 20, a left end 22, and a right end 24. The cuttingedge 18 is typically the sharpened lower curved edge of the blade 16although the top end 20 may be utilized for cutting when required. Inthe identified alternative embodiment, the blade 16 and the cutting edge18 extend beneath the left and right beams 26, 38. The top end 20 is thesubstantially straight long edge of the blade 16 opposite the cuttingedge 18. In a preferred embodiment, the left end 22 of the blade 16 iswelded to the left beam 38 and the right end 24 of the blade 16 iswelded to the right beam 26.

[0037]FIG. 4 illustrates the backhoe finishing attachment 10 installedon a backhoe bucket BB. The backhoe finishing attachment 10 typicallyfits outside the backhoe bucket BB and along the sides LS, RS of thebackhoe bucket BB. The right beam 26 positions the blade 16 away fromthe linkage L and ahead of the backhoe bucket BB. The right beam 26extends towards the prongs T or earth engaging side EE of the backhoebucket BB along the right side RS of the backhoe bucket BB. Matching theholes 54 in the right beam 26 to the holes 54 in the right side RS ofthe backhoe bucket BB, the right beam 26 is bolted by one or more bolts56 to the right side RS of the backhoe bucket BB. As the left beam 38and the left side LS of the backhoe bucket BB are symmetric to the rightbeam 26 and the right side RS of the backhoe bucket BB, the left beam 38bolts to the left side LS of the backhoe bucket BB as described for theright beam 26. In alternative embodiments, the left beam 38 and theright beam 26 may be welded to their respective sides of the backhoebucket BB. In further alternative embodiments, the left beam 38 and theright beam 26 may be joined to the their respective sides of the backhoebucket BB by an adhesive or with a hook and latching mechanism. In astill further alternative embodiment, the left beam 38 and the rightbeam 26 join their respective sides LS, RS of the backhoe bucket BBthrough magnetic attraction.

[0038]FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment for the backhoe finishingattachment 10. Replacing the beams 26, 38 described in FIGS. 3 & 4 areplates of steel which connect the blade 16 to the backhoe bucket BB. Ina preferred form of this alternative embodiment, the right beam 26 andthe left beam 38 have a straight end on the top that runs from the leftand right ends 22, 24 of the blade 16 across the length of the rightbeam 26 and the left beam 38. Furthermore, the right beam 26 and theleft beam 38 each preferably contain three or more holes 54 with atleast one hole 54 offset from the remaining holes 54, but may containone or more holes and still function. The preferred generally triangulararrangement 62 of the holes 54 in each beam 26, 38 provides a shear andmoment resisting connection of the beams 26, 38 to the backhoe bucketBB. The preferably curved bottom end 30 of the right beam 26 and curvedbottom end 42 of the left beam 38 runs from the left and right ends 22,24 of the blade 16 beneath the holes 54 and then to the rear ends 34, 46of the right beam 26 and the left beam 38 respectively. In a furtheralternative embodiments, other plate forms connect the blade 16 to thebackhoe bucket BB without departing from the spirit of the present art.Akin to FIG. 4, the right beam 26 and the left beam 38 may join theirrespective sides RS, LS of the backhoe bucket BB by welds, adhesives, ormagnetism or other conventional mechanical fastening methods.

[0039]FIG. 6 is an alternate embodiment derived from FIG. 3. In thisalternative embodiment, the cutting edge 18 of the blade 16 has aplurality of teeth 52 arrayed in a regular pattern. The teeth 52generally point downward during use to assist in the earth cuttingoperation of the backhoe finishing attachment 10. Further alternativeembodiments may utilize one or more teeth 52 or not utilize teeth atall. The right beam 26 and the left beam 38 extend from the left andright ends 22, 24 of the blade 16 rearward. In the preferred form, eachbeam 26, 38 has one or more holes 54 for bolts 56 to secure the beams26, 38 to the backhoe bucket BB. At the rear ends 34, 46, the beams 26,38 have clips 48,50 on the top edges 28, 40. The right clip 48 extendsupward from the right beam 26 then bends inwards, between the beams 26,38, and downward into the bucket interior I at the intersection of theaperture E and bucket right side RS. Symmetric to the right clip 48, theleft clip 50 extends upward from the left beam 38 then bends inwards,between the beams 26, 38, and downward into the bucket interior I at theintersection of the aperture E and bucket left side LS. During assembly,the right clip 48 and the left clip 50 assist the crew duringinstallation of the backhoe finishing attachment 10. In front of thelinkage L, a crew would place the right clip 48 and the left clip 50 onthe top of both sides RS, LS of the backhoe bucket BB near theintersection of the sides RS, LS and the aperture E. The crew would thenpush the blade 16 until the holes 54 in the beams 26, 38 aligned withthe holes 54 in the sides RS, LS of the backhoe bucket BB.

[0040]FIG. 7 provides a still further embodiment of the backhoefinishing attachment 10 which minimizes damage risk to the boom B andlinkage L. In this embodiment, the sides RS, LS of the backhoe bucket BBhave a pivot hole 64 and two or more mounting holes 66 arranged in anarc. In the preferred form, the right beam 26 and the left beam 38 ofthe backhoe finishing attachment 10 bolt to the pivot hole 64 with theholes 54 in the beams 26, 38 and to a mounting hole 66 with theremaining holes 54 in the beams 26, 38. The crew chooses at whichdownward angle to install the right beam 26 and the left beam 38.Installed at an angle, the backhoe finishing attachment10 has the blade16 farther away from the boom B. This positioning reduces the risk ofthe blade 16 damaging the boom B upon opening of the backhoe bucket BB.

[0041]FIG. 8 shows a still further alternative embodiment with thebackhoe finishing attachment 10 connecting directly to the boom B andthe linkage L in the absence of a backhoe bucket BB near the working endWE of the boom B and linkage L. In this form, the backhoe finishingattachment 10 also has a blade 16, left beam 38, and a right beam 26 asdescribed for prior embodiments. The left beam 38 has one or moreregularly spaced holes 54 to attach the left beam 38 to the left side LSof the boom B and the linkage L. The spacing of the holes 54 matches thedistance between the boom B and the linkage L. The right beam 26 alsohas one or more regularly spaced holes 54 to attach the right beam 26 tothe right side RS of the boom B and the linkage L. The spacing of theholes 54 also matches the distance between the boom B and the linkage L.As in prior embodiments, the holes 54 of the right beam 26 may matchthose of the left beam 38 for ease of manufacturing and installation ofthe device. The left beam 38 positions the blade 16 away from thelinkage L and away from the boom B. The left beam 38 extends from theblade 16 to the linkage L and then to the boom B along the left side LS.Matching the holes 54 in the left beam 38 to the linkage L and to theboom B, the left beam 38 is joined by two bolts 56 to the left side LSof the linkage L and the boom B. As the left beam 38 and the left sideLS of the boom B and linkage L are symmetric to the right beam 26 andthe right side RS of the boom B and linkage L, the right beam 26 boltsto the right side RS of the boom B and linkage L as described for theleft beam 38.

[0042] In operation, for all embodiments, the excavation crew moves orremoves earth to the desired depth, footprint, and position. The crewthen closes or removes the backhoe bucket BB of the backhoe and reststhe backhoe bucket BB on a surface. The crewmen then lift the backhoefinishing attachment 10 and attach it onto the bucket BB or boom B asaforesaid, depending upon the embodiment. Once the backhoe finishingattachment 10 is connected, the crew moves the boom B and the backhoebucket BB so that the blade 16 contacts the earth at the desired wall 12location. When the backhoe boom B and bucket BB is jointly lowered orraised by an experienced operator, the blade 16 proceeds in a verticalline, removing earth at the desired wall 12 location. After the crewcuts the wall 12 vertically straight with the blade 16, the crewmenremove the backhoe finishing attachment 10 by reversing the installationsteps aforementioned. The crew then returns the backhoe bucket BB intothe excavation to remove the cuttings at the base of the straight wall12. The crew then installs shoring or formwork per construction plansand specifications.

[0043] From the foregoing description, those skilled in the art willappreciate that all objects of the present invention are realized. Adevice and method to plumb earthen walls has been shown and described.This invention provides a device that firmly attaches to a conventionalbackhoe or backhoe bucket to cut earth without specialty tools,specialty labor, risk to life, or time consuming operations.

[0044] Having described the invention in detail, those skilled in theart will appreciate that modifications may be made to the inventionwithout departing from its spirit. Therefore, it is not intended thatthe scope of the invention be limited to the specific embodimentsillustrated and described. Rather it is intended that the scope of thisinvention be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

I claim:
 1. A backhoe finishing attachment in combination with a backhoecomprising: a backhoe bucket having a right side, a left side, aninterior, an exterior, an earth engaging side, and a boom attachmentside; and a substantially U-shaped form having a blade, a right beam,and a left beam, said blade having a cutting edge, a top end oppositesaid cutting edge, a left end and a right end, said right beam having atop end, a bottom end, a front end substantially attached near saidblade right end whereby said top end of said blade is substantiallycloser to said top end of said right beam than said bottom end of saidright beam, and a rear end opposite said front end, said left beamhaving a top end, a bottom end, a front end substantially attached nearsaid blade left end whereby said top end of said blade is substantiallycloser to said top end of said left beam than said bottom end of saidleft beam, and a rear end opposite said front end; and said left beamand said right beam having means to attach said left beam to said leftside of said backhoe bucket and said right beam to said right side ofsaid backhoe bucket.
 2. The backhoe finishing attachment in combinationwith a backhoe of claim 1, whereby: said right beam and said left beameach have a substantially rectangular cross sectional shape in the planeperpendicular to the axis from each of said respective front and rearends.
 3. The backhoe finishing attachment in combination with a backhoeof claim 1, whereby: said right beam and said left beam each having asubstantially semi-circular bottom end extending from substantially nearsaid front end of each said beams to substantially near said rear end ofeach said beams.
 4. A backhoe finishing attachment in combination with abackhoe of claim 1, further comprising: a right clip attachedsubstantially near said top end of said right beam and extending intosaid interior of said bucket; and a left clip attached substantiallynear said top edge of said left beam and extending into said interior ofsaid bucket.
 5. The backhoe finishing attachment in combination with abackhoe of claim 1 wherein the cutting edge of the blade is sharpened.6. The backhoe finishing attachment in combination with a backhoe ofclaim 1 wherein the cutting edge of the blade has one or more teeth. 7.The backhoe finishing attachment in combination with a backhoe of claim1 wherein said means to attach said left beam to said left side of saidbackhoe bucket and said right beam to said right side of said backhoebucket comprises: one or more bolts installed through one or more holeswithin said beams and said bucket.
 8. The backhoe finishing attachmentin combination with a backhoe in claim 1 wherein said means to attachsaid left beam to said left side of said backhoe bucket and said rightbeam to said right side of said backhoe bucket comprises: one or morequick release pins installed through one or more holes within said beamsand said bucket.
 9. The backhoe finishing attachment in combination witha backhoe of claim 1 wherein said means to attach said left beam to saidleft side of said backhoe bucket and said right beam to said right sideof said backhoe bucket comprises: one or more welds between said beamsand said bucket.
 10. The backhoe finishing attachment in combinationwith a backhoe of claim 1 wherein said means to attach said left beam tosaid left side of said backhoe bucket and said right beam to said rightside of said backhoe bucket comprises: two or more holes in each of saidright and left beams; and two or more holes in each of said right andleft side of said bucket which align respectively with said holes insaid right and left beams; and two or more bolts, said bolts installedin each of said holes in said beams and said holes in said bucket. 11.The backhoe finishing attachment in combination with a backhoe of claim1 wherein said means to attach said left beam to said left side of saidbackhoe bucket and said right beam to said right side of said backhoebucket comprises: said right beam and said left beam each having two ormore holes capable of aligning with two or more holes on the right sideand the left side of said bucket respectively, said backhoe bucket holesfurther defined by a pivot hole and two or more mounting holes in eachof said right side and said left side of said backhoe bucket, saidmounting holes positioned along an arc relative to said pivot hole; andfour or more bolts, said bolts installed in each of said holes in saidbeams and said holes aligning therewith in said bucket, whereby one ofeach of said right beam and said left beam holes aligns with, attacheswith, and pivots relative to said pivot holes in said bucket and isfurther secured with and onto said bucket with said bolts through saidmounting holes thereby providing at least two angles of mountingrelative to said bucket.
 12. A backhoe finishing attachment comprising:a backhoe having a boom and a linkage each having one or more holes at arespective working end of each; and a substantially U-shaped form havinga blade, a right beam, and a left beam, said blade having a cuttingedge, a top end opposite said cutting edge, a left end and a right end,said right beam, having a top end, a bottom end, a front end attached tosaid blade between said left end and said right end of said blade, arear end opposite said front end, and two or more holes spaced along thelength of said right beam and capable of aligning with said holes insaid boom and linkage, said left beam, having a top end, a bottom end, afront end attached to said blade between said left end and said rightend of said blade, a rear end opposite said front end, and two or moreholes spaced along the length of said left beam and capable of aligningwith said holes in said boom and linkage; and one or more boltsinstalled through said holes of said left beam and said right beam andthrough said boom and said linkage holes thereby connecting said backhoefinishing attachment to said boom and said linkage.
 13. A method tostraighten earthen walls, the steps comprising: creating an earthen wallusing a conventional backhoe bucket, said bucket having an inside, anoutside, a right side, and a left side; and resting said backhoe bucketupon a surface; and forming a substantially U shaped member having ablade, a right beam, and a left beam; and sliding said right beam andsaid left beam along said outside of said bucket; and securing saidright beam onto said right side of said bucket and said left beam ontosaid left side of said bucket whereby said blade extends from saidbucket; and positioning said bucket so that said blade contacts saidearthen wall at a desired location; and moving said bucket in asubstantially straight path whereby said blade cuts said earthen wall.14. The method to straighten earthen walls of claim 13 wherein the stepof securing said right beam and said left beam onto said bucketcomprises: forming one or more aligned holes in said left beam and saidleft side said bucket; and forming one or more aligned holes in saidright beam and said right side of said bucket; and placing one or morebolts through each of said holes on said left side and said right side.15. The method to straighten earthen walls of claim 13 wherein the stepof securing said right beam and said left beam onto said bucketcomprises: welding one or more of said beams onto said bucket.